Research shows how operators seek IPTV service interoperability, yet no one will make the first move
Western European operator research shows how the industry faces business transformation issues
LONDON, United Kingdom, -19 August, 2008 – Operators plunge into new services, yet often overlook business transformation issues, which was highlighted in a report from advisory and consulting firm Premonvision. The report, 2008-2011 Western European service delivery platform insights also highlights what type of services operators aim to deliver by 2011, how those services will be available on device platforms, and the implications for the middleware solution.
"Operators are rushing out with new advanced services, such as IPTV, content sharing and home security, yet they often lack a clear and coherent device platform strategy that is consistent with the future device landscape", says Principal Advisor Carl Gressum responsible for the research. "Ensuring a clear and concise device platform strategy will be crucial for services oriented firms that utilise the broadband access pipeline. The amount of devices that can tap into the broadband pipeline is increasing, and yet few operators have a clear strategy on how to tap into all these new consumer touch points.", adds Gressum. The Western European research highlights the challenges the operators face, with the lack of commitment to implementing service and device interoperability guidelines, as all operators are waiting to see what their competitors and peers will do. However, ITU-T and the semi-open Open IPTV Forum are gaining mind share, and eco-system partners need to evaluate how these standards bodies can co-exist alongside interoperability guidelines such as the DLNA.
The research revealed also the trends for in-home networking for the terminal device. For IPTV it is predominantly a mixture of Ethernet LAN or Wi-Fi being built into the terminal device, while in many cases a powerline communication (PLC) kit would be offered alongside of Ethernet LAN solutions. PLC integration into the terminal device is many years off, with only one operator assuming a PLC integration with the IPTV set top box by 2011. This shows the major challenged facing the PLC industry. Instead broadband access providers opt for the traditional Ethernet LAN cabling, or using upcoming 802.11n Wi-Fi, in dual radio mode. However, the operators are exploring other avenues, as 802.11n Wi-Fi could face quality of service challenges as more devices utilise the spectrum.
"The service delivery platform market remains uncharted territory for many operators. They have taken blue-prints from the traditional pay-TV market, and adopted it to IPTV, however, what they have in most cases overlooked is that the connected device landscape will change significantly in the coming years. Vendors without a clear device platform strategy will be left out in the cold", says Gressum. There are many opportunities in the IP-enabled services market, yet there is often amongst the operators a clear strategy for the services market and the impacts in related businesses such mobile. Many of these services should be pushed by the corporate strategy group and not necessarily by the wireline business, otherwise this could lead to inconsistencies. Some operators are most likely better off in the access business, as the business transformation risk is too great, with too few synergies", adds Gressum.
The world wide advisory module Insights: service delivery platform addresses key market and technology issues operators face in the service delivery platform market. The reports, which cover different geographical regions, map out what type of services broadband access providers will deliver to the home, and how those services will be available on different device platforms by 2011. This insight provides greater understanding of the dynamics of the Internet services market to the home, which is a key requirement for web service providers, consumer electronic vendors, and IT vendors.
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FOR EDITORS
For more information Insights: service delivery platform, please contact Premonvision on +44 2080994084, contact the company here. There are also freely available industry comments here.
ABOUT PREMONVISION
Premonvision is an advisory and consulting firm in the Internet services and consumer electronics market. It provides in-depth research and consulting services on operator strategies for the residential market, and the impacts of consumer electronics and IT on the services market.
